The Clearing by Katherine May

The Clearing by Katherine May

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The Clearing by Katherine May
The Clearing by Katherine May
Happy Estival Solstice!

Happy Estival Solstice!

Journaling prompts and gentle rituals for the height of summer

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Katherine May
Jun 21, 2025
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The Clearing by Katherine May
The Clearing by Katherine May
Happy Estival Solstice!
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Today, in the Northern Hemisphere, it is the summer solstice: the longest day, the shortest night. It is one of the two pivots on which the year turns, and I am ready for it.

It will be the end of a cycle for me. At the last one, midwinter, I attended a dawn celebration with a dear friend, all the while trying to hold back the secret I was keeping, that we were waiting for the results of H’s first scan. It was the beginning of a much longer process than I ever expected.

But here we are, at the closing of a cycle. He’s getting better every day, and I am beginning to feel like I can make plans again. What a difference half a year makes. At each solstice, we can only look back at the last and marvel at how far we’ve travelled.

Reading through my past few midsummer posts, I note a marked trend towards grumpiness at this time of year. This comes as a relief: I am, yet again, feeling wired and exhausted and pulled in too many directions. At least I know, from long experience, that it will break sometime over the weekend. We will begin to ease our way back towards winter, where I feel at home.

I’m sharing those past few midsummer posts with you today, and offering a journaling prompt and some ideas for rituals to help you to ride the incredible wave of fiery energy that comes at this time of year. I wish you a wild and bright solstice!

Let me know how you’re celebrating in the comments.

2022: That time is coming again

2023: The sharp scrutiny of midsummer

2024: The summer solstice

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